Chapter 6 - The GraveWe arrived at the cemetery before sunrise.
David stayed behind.
Alessandro and I walked toward my father's grave.
I hadn't visited in years.
The grave looked ordinary.
Almost forgotten.
Alessandro handed me a small device.
"Put the ring here."
I did.
A hidden compartment opened beneath the stone.
Inside was a black notebook.
The ledger.
I opened it.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Every transaction.
Every murder.
Every bribe.
And then—
A list of politicians.
Judges.
Police officers.
Business leaders.
The network was enormous.
Alessandro stared.
"This is enough to destroy them."
David approached.
"Not yet."
He took the notebook.
"There is a final page."
We turned it.
One name appeared.
Catherine Winters.
I stared.
"Why am I here?"
David looked devastated.
"Because your father planned to use you as the final owner."
"What?"
"The network needed someone legitimate."
My father had placed assets in my name.
Companies.
Accounts.
Properties.
I had spent years thinking I was poor.
I wasn't.
I was unknowingly sitting on millions of dollars of hidden assets.
"And David?"
"He discovered it."
I looked at him.
"So you disappeared to protect me."
"Yes."
I started crying.
"I hated you."
"I know."
"I thought you abandoned us."
"I know."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because every time I tried, someone was watching."
Alessandro looked at the horizon.
"We need to move."
Too late.
Cars surrounded the cemetery.
Men stepped out.
Weapons raised.
Alessandro pushed me behind him.
David stood beside him.
A voice called:
"Give us the ledger."
Alessandro smiled.
"No."
Gunfire erupted.
We ran.
David grabbed my hand.
"Don't let go."
"I won't."
We reached the car.
Alessandro drove.
Bullets struck the windows.
Logan cried.
I held him tightly.
Finally, we escaped.
But the ledger was gone.
I looked at David.
"What happened?"
He smiled.
"I made a copy."
I stared.
"Where?"
May you like
He tapped his chest.
"Up here."
